Sudan: Two opposition parties boycott national dialogue

Al-Umma party led by Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi and the Reform Now led by Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani said yesterday they would boycott the national dialogue committee announced by Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, Al-Araby Al-Jadid said.

They accused the Sudanese government of ending the opportunity of dialogue by itself as it retracted conditions it put itself.

Recently, the national dialogue in Sudan has witnessed massive retreats and controversies, especially after the detention of party leaders, including Al-Mahdi and Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, who is still behind bars.

In addition, the government modified the elections law and started arrangements for the elections, which are expected in April next year.

The 7+7 Committee, which includes seven opposition political parties and seven from the ruling government, held a meeting yesterday where it identified the final position regarding the participation in the dialogue and the meeting they were invited to by Al-Bashir which was due to take place tomorrow.

Both Al-Umma Party and the Reform Now Party attempted to persuade the other five opposition parties to boycott the dialogue, but they insisted they would go ahead.